It was another calm evening.
The chaos from this morning wasn't unusual for the E-UNIT. They had dealt with far worse, more brutal criminals, bigger threats, crazier motives. Outlaws always found new ways to disturb the peace of this city… and of every other city.
Inside Dr. Nick's office, a rare online meeting was taking place.
Dr. Nick sat with Mikael Wilson, the current police general director, and Henry Vegas, the minister of defense. A special guest was there too: the police chief, 02.
Nick began, his tone serious.
"Thank you all for responding to my summons. If this wasn't critical, I would never call the minister of defense for a casual talk."
Vegas gave a humble smile.
"It's my pleasure, Dr. Nick. No need to stiffen up for a friend. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be speaking face to face right now, and the whole country would still be drowning in corruption."
Mikael nodded.
"I agree. But it is unusual for you to call us, Nick. It's usually the other way around."
Nick sighed, rubbing his temples. "Because the situation has evolved beyond police work. 02, brief them."02 stepped forward, speaking clearly and firmly.
"Roger. Today we faced three coordinated terrorist attacks inside the city. Multiple heavily populated locations were targeted, the main dock, the newly established E-UNIT mass production facility, and the North Star Building, headquarters of Jerman & Co."
She clicked her keyboard, displaying images on the screen.
"At first, the attacks looked like normal anti-AI uprisings. But as we progressed, we discovered the truth: the attacks were a cover for smuggling E-MEDIC-like copies built for war. We successfully disabled the enemy robots and neutralized the attacks."
Another clicks. Pictures of arrested survivors appeared.
"We retrieved three criminals, all of them high-ranking members of the group. The main target, Ethan Jode, cooperated after a little… encouragement."
Everyone smirked. They understood exactly what that meant.
"The enemy is fielding fully automated combat units. We call them 'Black Medics.' They are fast, aggressive, and clearly designed for war. The ease of their destruction concerns us."
Vegas leaned forward. "Concerns you?"
"They are fragile," Dr. Nick interjected. "Cheaply made. That means two things:
First, they were built as quickly as possible to test their chances against real E-UNITs.
Second, because they're cheap, they can be mass-produced easily with the right funding."
Vegas cleared his throat, preparing to say something he hated to admit. He slumped in his chair. He looked older than his years.
"You're right. Our intel confirms it. These models have been spotted on the Western Front for two months. New Mer is pushing hard. Without the supply of mechs from Metro Robotics... we are losing."
The room went silent. The weight of the words hung in the air.
"Our forces are shrinking," Vegas continued, his voice barely a whisper. "We can't hold the line against machines that don't sleep or bleed. If this continues... the enemy army will reach the capital within days."
Mikael clenched his jaw.
"We can't even produce mechs anymore. We destroyed the corrupt factories to save the city, but in doing so, we starved our own army."
Nick looked even more troubled. He understood what they were asking for.
"In the past," he said quietly, "I never imagined I'd build machines for war."
Mikael nodded sadly.
"We understand, Dr. Nick."
Nick lifted his head.
"But… my country needs me. And today's chaos is partly the result of poor planning on my part. So yes, Mr. Vegas, we will join the war with you."
Vegas's face lit up instantly.
He had hoped for these words, but never imagined Nick would actually accept.
"Thank you, Nick. Truly."
His shoulders slumped, the weight of a thousand dead soldiers visible in his eyes.
"Your country will never forget this."
He saluted the camera.
The Balcony. 09:15 PM.
After the politicians left, Nick stood alone on the balcony, staring into the light-polluted sky.
"It would be nicer if we could see the stars," he murmured, knowing 02 was peeking at him.
02 stepped up beside him. "The city lights won't allow that, Father."
They stood in silence for a moment, listening to the distant hum of traffic.
"You're worried," 02 stated. It wasn't a question.
Nick's smile faded. "I hate variables I can't calculate. War is... messy. It's not like police work where there are rules."
"Why the doubt? You've seen us fight. We are capable."
He turned to her. "How would you feel if you had to send your own children to fight an army?"
02 paused. Her processors whirred. "I understand. But you always say we are your masterpieces. Trust your work."
"I do. But bodies are replaceable. Metal can be forged again. But your mind... your personality... your soul... that is stored on an SSD. If that breaks... I lose you forever."
02 rested her head on his shoulder, a very human gesture. "03 was right."
Nick raised an eyebrow. "What did she say this time?"
"I'll tell you when we win the war."
"I like that confidence," Nick chuckled. "And I fear it."
The night remained calm.
But would it stay that way forever?
The Repair Bay. 08:15 AM.
The next morning was hot and harsh.
Summer was dragging its last painful breaths, making everyone wish winter would hurry up already. August had never been anyone's favorite month.
Sunlight shined over the newly repaired 09.
The team had sped up her recovery so she could attend the E-UNIT meeting with the captain. Only a few final touches remained.
"Hurry up, please!" she pressured the engineer. "The meeting is in ten minutes!"
The engineer smirked while working.
"No need to yell, 09. You're lucky you're almost fully repaired. Look at 17 over there, she's missing an entire head and still staying quiet."
In the corner, the headless body of Unit 17 gave a thumbs up.
"Are you dumb?! She can't speak! She doesn't have a head!"
"I'll remove yours if that's what it takes to work in peace."
"What if I remove yours so they send a different engineer to fix me?!"
"There are no others available. You'll stay without a leg."
"Why are you like this?!"
"Why are you so desperate to watch your captain speak? You see her every day."
"Today is different," she said dramatically, clutching her fists and looking up at the ceiling as if praying. "I want to see her serious side. She's so freaking amazing. I hope I never end up on her bad side."
"Is this part of that weird cult 01 started? She's strange. There's a whole basement room where she keeps pictures of 02 in different poses and walks around them singing."
09's voice dropped into a cold threat.
"You entered the room without permission?"
"No human is allowed inside."
"No, I couldn't. The room code changed. And there are energy cores inside that are apparently crucial."
"What energy cores? Wait… that explains the energy flow I feel whenever I '02ring' there."
"02ring? What does that even—"
The repair bay door opened.
The captain stepped in.
"Captain—ooh!"
09 tried to stand and salute but fell flat on her face.
She opened her eyes to find the captain herself helping her sit back on the charging station.
"My prayers… got answered…" she whispered as her mind went blank.
02 tilted her head slightly.
"09?"
"YES, CAPTAIN!" she saluted while sitting.
"I see you're doing fine."
She turned to the engineer.
"Thank you for your hard work, sir."
He smiled.
"I see why they like you. You're welcome, Cap."
02 shifted her gaze back to 09.
"Since many units are still under repair, and today's meeting is crucial for our future, it has been delayed until 7 PM in the meeting hall. This gives everyone enough time to finish repairs."
"Thank you, captain!"
"For what?"
"Nothing! I'll be there!"
"Good. I hope you and 17 recover quickly. Thank you for your service."
She saluted and left the room.
The moment she exited, the headless 17 somehow fainted, making her engineer panic.
09 began breathing heavily.
The engineer frowned.
"What are you even breathing? You're a robot."
"Doesn't matter… my prayers were answered… 01, you're the best E-PASTOR ever…"
The engineer dragged a hand down his face.
"Oh my god…"
The Meeting Hall, 07:00 PM.
02 stepped up to the lectern, facing all twenty-nine of her sisters.
The room around them was blindingly white, so bright and alien-looking that anyone without filters would go blind instantly. The glowing blue trails across the walls had become a signature of all E-UNIT-designed buildings.
"Welcome, sisters," 02 began. "This is the first time we gather to discuss the future of the E-UNIT. Usually, we leave everything to brute force. But today… as some of you already know… we've found a new enemy. One that could rival us, not in power, but in numbers."
A 3D hologram flickered to life beside her.
"Our father studied the enemy's new weapon. And he found something that should be relieving but is actually much scarier. The 'Black Medic,' as we call them, are extremely fragile. Too fragile. Which means one thing: mass production."
A voice from the back shouted.
"I never liked those pink dolls!"
"Now we got to fight black ones?!"
"ANYWAY!" the captain yelled, shutting down the chaos instantly.
"We have a problem. These robots are war-ready. New Mer is using them as frontline units, and they're already advancing into our territory. And since Metro Robotics' factories are all disabled, our current army is weaker than ever. They need our help immediately."
She paused, then spoke with a deeper seriousness.
"We're answering the call of duty. This country gave us life. It built us. It sustained us with the people's hard-earned tax money. And now, we must protect those same people, from internal threats and from external ones."
Cling. Cling.
Metallic claps erupted and echoed through the bright hall.
02 continued.
"Father and I already formed the teams. Units 01 to 10, you're with me. We're heading to the western border and then to the capital."
A wave of disappointed murmurs rolled through the room.
"Units 11 to 20, you will fortify Metromania. The enemy will target the strongest weapon this country has. I evaluated everyone's performance. 11, you are the captain in my absence."
She pointed to the last row.
"Units 21 to 30, you will protect the remaining five cities under our jurisdiction. They're small but connected to the Light Lane™. 24, you will be your group's captain."
All units saluted.
"Finally… meet us tomorrow morning. Father and I will be out of sight until then. Take care.
E-UNIT, out."
02 stepped off the stage.
Units 24 and 11 immediately approached her.
11 spoke first.
"Thank you, captain. I'll use this opportunity to show that the new versions are fully capable."
24 cut in, frustrated.
"Captain, five cities are too much for only ten E-UNITs. We need more units to cover them properly."
02 nodded.
"Of course. Twenty additional E-UNITs will be activated in the next days. Their release was delayed because Father was preparing us for the war."
11 blinked. "The war?"
"Yes. I just received an update: the enemy forces reached the capital moments ago, sooner than expected… and they've started a siege."
"No way…" 24's jaw dropped.
"That was my reaction too," 02 said. "We're flying there in two days. Ensuring we can land safely, the battlefield will be ugly."
11 asked, "Will your team at the capital get additional support?"
"No. We need as much experience as possible. That's why I assigned you to Metromania, your decision-making is the best in the new-generation units."
24's teeth clenched.
"What about me?"
"Soon enough. Thank you for your service."
02 saluted and walked toward her assigned group.
24 slowly side-eyed 11.
"So this is the 'best decision-making E-UNIT,' huh…"
11 sighed. "Seriously? She just said it."
24 leaned closer.
"I'm watching you, 11. Believe me… 01 will NEVER leave you alone now."
"…what."
E-police Parking Lot, 09:00 am.
In the morning, and after two days of preparations, the entire base felt different, quieter, focused.
Everyone assigned to the mission was already gathered near the runway. The air smelled like jet fuel and cold metal.
Dr. Nick arrived with two engineers walking behind him, each carrying heavy tool cases. They were responsible for fixing any E-UNIT damage during the mission, a safety measure Nick never skipped. A truck full of spare parts rumbled across the tarmac before stopping beside the AC-130, crates clattering as soldiers unloaded them.
02, 03, and 05 checked over their gear. They carried weapons the military couldn't officially hand out, modified M16s, compact EMP grenades, and LIBERTA, 03's long sniper rifle wrapped in a black cloth.
Other E-UNITs moved with perfect efficiency, helping load the aircraft.
Their once-blue paint was now replaced with a matte grey, blending with the capital's colder palette. Dr. Nick had personally installed the newest battery models into all ten units, enough power for a full month of normal use, and a week of heavy one, with far more stable energy control.
When the final crate slid into place, the mood shifted.
Laughs faded. The clatter of metal stopped.
The units staying behind stood shoulder to shoulder in one perfect line.
A synchronized salute.
"Safe trip, Captain!"
The captain smiled softly, warmth cutting through the tension.
"Thank you," she said, returning the salute.
24 and 17 stepped forward.
"Please be careful, Captain," 24 said, her voice steadier than her eyes. "I spent four hours watching war footage last night. This isn't the usual hit-and-run."
17 added, "If you need extra hands… what will you do?"
02 smirked. "Then you two will be the first I call."
Both froze, they weren't expecting that.
03's voice echoed from the AC-130's ramp.
"Captain! Everything is ready. Departure in two minutes."
Then 11 jogged up.
"Safe trip, Captain. The city is in safe hands."
"I know. I trust all of you," she said before turning toward the aircraft.
11 stayed there long after the captain boarded, watching the heavy plane rumble forward and finally lift off into the morning sky.
Inside, the atmosphere was tight and quiet.
No jokes. No chatter. Just the deep hum of engines.
Everyone reviewed war footage or stared at the floor, lost in thought. The enemy's new weapon flickered on screens, blurry, violent clips looping again and again.
Stress was a passenger too.
Dr. Nick sat beside 02.
"What do you think?" he finally asked.
"We need more time to study them," 02 replied. "Going in outnumbered is never smart."
Nick nodded. "I agree. They had two years of planning."
02 narrowed her eyes. "How do you know that?"
Nick exhaled softly. "Let's say… I recognize his touch. Even after all this time."
"Old friend?"
"I never saw him as one," Nick said. "But I've seen his work. And I know what he can do."
"I see… any advice before we fight your friend's robots?"
"Yes," Nick said. "Don't take them seriously. He never liked the idea of real, living robots. You're basically fighting a brainless washing machine."
02 chuckled. "A washing machine? That's someone's nightmare."
"Haha. And I think it's mine."
"That's why you made us with personalities… right?"
"Precisely."